A Remarkable Success: Unravelling the Highlights of the 4th International Conference on Solar Technologies & Hybrid Mini Grids to improve energy access

In a dynamic display of innovation and collaboration, the highly anticipated 4th International Conference on Solar Technologies & Hybrid Mini Grids to improve energy access took place in April 2023 and concluded with resounding success. Hosted in the beautiful city of Palma de Mallorca, this conference brought together 136 leading experts, scholars, company representatives and enthusiasts from diverse fields within the scope of renewable energy provision, 35 different countries and 5 continents. With the focus on off-grid systems, energy access and renewable electrification especially for countries in the global south, an inspiring environment of knowledge exchange was fostered. InES was represented at this key convention with two InES-researchers each actively shaping the conference with a scientific contribution. The presented research work was part of the SEED and PROCEED projects with focus in Kenya, Mozambique and Namibia covering electrification in informal settlements as well as remote off-grid communities. The speakers appreciated the valuable, constructive feedback, so new impulses could be obtained from experts for further reflection on their research work. At the same time, new contacts could be made and the InES network expanded.

The scientific sessions proved to be the heart of the congress, where researchers and experts showcased their pioneering work. Participants shared their studies, methodologies, and findings, inviting constructive discussions and thought-provoking debates. The topics ranged from Agri-PV to electrification of refugee shelters, the presentation of new tools for sizing mini-grids, the improvement of battery technologies and exchange on lessons learned, challenges and opportunities in various projects.

Beyond the formal, scientific sessions, the conference nurtured a vibrant social atmosphere, fostering networking opportunities that transcended disciplinary boundaries. The solar cooking event, where lunch and coffee were prepared with an exclusively solar-powered cooker, was taken as an extraordinarily positive highlight of the day. This emphasis on practical learning enhanced the overall learning experience, making the event both informative and engaging. All in all, participation in the conference was a complete success for the InES researchers!

The projects SEED and PROCEED are funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The PROCEED project is part of the CLIENT II initiative.